State Announces Plan To Contain, Treat Grumman Plume

FARMINGDALE, NY — A solution to the longtime problem of a toxic water plume caused by industrial waste dumping from U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman manufacturing facilities is in sight.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Thursday the release of an engineering and groundwater modeling investigation, as well as the start of a public comment period, on a proposed Amended Record of Decision. The goal is to fully contain and treat the plume of contaminated water that, per Newsday, has led to a New York State Department of Health investigation into several cancer cases in Bethpage.

"New York will not stand idly by as polluters threaten the health and safety of Long Island's residents and communities," Cuomo said via press release. "With the release of this groundbreaking plan to contain and treat the Navy/Grumman plume, we are taking action on a comprehensive system to safeguard communities and ensure that Long Island's drinking water and environment are protected for generations to come."

The Department of Environmental Conservation's budding investigation of the nearly four-mile long and two-mile wide underground plume confirms that construction, long-term operation and maintenance of an estimated $585 million full containment and treatment system is feasible and could effectively halt the further spread of the plume's toxins.

"For far too long the Bethpage Plume has steadily crept along threatening to contaminate drinking water supplies in community after community while the Navy and Northrup-Grumman have done little to respond to local water districts pleas for further action," U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said. "I will fight tooth and nail in Washington, D.C. to make sure that these cleanup costs don't fall to local taxpayers who bear no responsibility for this toxic mess but live under constant threat of its unchecked spread."

In addition to containment and treatment of the plume, the DEC's plan is to hold the U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman accountable for its implementation. The plan includes the construction of 24 groundwater extraction wells, five treatment plants, four recharge basins, and approximately 24 miles of conveyance piping.

Following the public comment period, the state will issue an Amended Record of Decision and select the remedy. Immediately after the cleanup plan is decided, the DEC and the state Department of Health will demand that the Navy and Grumman implement it. In addition, the DEC will soon release a Natural Resource Damages report under the federal Superfund law that determines the groundwater was substantially impacted and needs to be restored.

"For 40 years we have known about this plume and the people of this community have suffered while the cleanup simply takes too long," Congressman Tom Suozzi said. "I will continue to work with my friends in the Bethpage Water District to push all of the responsible parties and stakeholders to a cleanup resolution that gives these residents what they deserve: clean drinking water."

The public is welcome to send any comments on the proposed plan to Jason Pelton, DEC project manager, from May 23 through July 7, at Jason.Pelton@dec.ny.gov.

The plan is scheduled to be presented at a public meeting on June 10 at Bethpage High School, located at 10 Cherry Ave. in Bethpage.